The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the last competing nations at this championship should hear.
In recent days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.